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Días Patrias


Nov. 5th

On the 3rd and 4th of November Panama celebrates it’s Días Patrias (days of independence/patriotism).  This year all the events in Piedras Gordas centered around the primary school.  For months the students had been preparing to present folklorico (folklore) dances and songs to the community members and invitees.  November 3rd started out with a prayer lead by the kindergrateners, and tradional dances by a few of the students.  Afterward and group of fathers greased up, tied a bag of prizes to and raised a 30 ft. palo (stick or pole), that the boys in the community tried to climb up so they could reach the prizes.  While the boys worked together to degrease and climb the palo.  The rest of the students took part in various activities; there were gifts handed out, a parade, sack races, foot races, and egg on spoon races.  After close to two hours the boys finally conquered the pole and the prizes were distributed to all of the children.  We completed the day’s activities by listening to the school band and eating enough arroz con pollo and ice cream to be sick for a week.

In Panama there is concept that the Panamanians call Tiempo Panamenio (Panamanain Time)  this means that around 9:45 am people will show up for an activity that’s supposed to start at 9 am, and it will actually start between 10:00-10:30am.  It’s seems to work very well for Panamanians in the sense that everyone pretty much knows which events they should show up an hour late for.  Unfortunately I have a knack for using Panamanian time when everyone else is using normal time, and viceversa. So inevitably I end up waiting for an hour for a meeting to start, or I show up very late.

My misunderstanding of Tiempo Panamenio was on full display November 4th.  The festivities were scheduled to start at 10:00 am, seeing how I was supposed to be a guest of honor I decided that I would beat the crowds by showing up around 10:30.  At 9:55am I was making breakfast when I recieved two frantic calls from the teachers at the school and my good friend Yari.  They informed me that I was very late and that everyone was waiting for me to start the celebration. I quickly threw on my clothes and ran over to the school.  I arrived drenched in sweat to find the director of the school stalling the crowd in wait of my arrival.  Once I slunk into the final open seat on the stage infront of the crowd, the festivities began.  First the students of Piedras Gordas danced, sang, and played the tamboritos (various traditional Panamanian drums) for the students and administrators from the invited schools in the area and the other community members in attendance.  This was a followed by a cantaría (singing competition).  Afterwards the school director, teachers, community leaders, local politicians and I lead a parade through Piedras Gordas.  When we arrived back at the central stage we took our seats and judged each school’s band as it passed.  It was very impressive to see the bands’ various outfits and performances.  The elementary school in Piedras Gordas took home 3rd place.  Once again the events at the school were culminated with a stomach bursting helping of chicha, arroz con pollo, and potato salad. 

The rest of the evening was filled with live music performances, dancing, eating, and drinking in various houses throughout the community.  Aside from my morning entrance the day was a huge succes and a lot of fun! 



























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